Khurram Dara, a 36-year-old cryptocurrency lawyer, has announced his candidacy for New York State Attorney General, seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic incumbent Letitia James. Dara previously led regulatory and policy efforts at Bain Capital’s crypto venture fund and emphasized putting New Yorkers’ interests ahead of political ambitions.
Dara, emphasizing his focus on the public over politics, criticized James as “a professional politician for over twenty years” who has put her own interests ahead of New Yorkers, and added that he is running for attorney general because the state deserves an AG that puts New Yorkers first.
A second-generation American from Amherst, Dara earned his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and his law degree from Columbia University. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Shari, and serves on the advisory board of the Investor Choice Advocates Network while being a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Dara has pledged to end “lawfare,” where legal tactics are used for political purposes, and to promote fair law enforcement while improving the business climate. He criticized James for policies he argues have increased costs for businesses, contributing to New Yorkers’ affordability challenges.
The Republican primary field includes Dara, Michael Henry, the party’s 2022 candidate for attorney general, and Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor. Both Henry and Komatireddy have established connections within the GOP, making the nomination contest closely watched as the 2026 election approaches.
